Proactive care can help slow cognitive decline
By Colby Denton
Dementia is an illness that everyone dreads, especially when it involves your own parents. The emotional weight is immediate and the options can feel overwhelming. But time matters in memory care.
That urgency, paired with a deep personal experience, is what led to the creation of Alice’s Clubhouse — South Carolina’s first and only medical-model memory care day center.
Founded in March 2019, Alice’s Clubhouse was crafted specifically for those in need of an extended day memory care program at a time when it was surprisingly absent in the Palmetto State.
Following his mother Alice’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, founder and president David AvRutick, along with his father, began seeking a memory care day program for her. They discovered there were no appropriate solutions in South Carolina. The only other alternatives were full-time home care or going to a full-time assisted living or memory care facility.
During their search, the AvRuticks met Diane Sancho, who had a shared interest in starting such a facility. They joined forces and gave rise to a new type of service: Alice’s Clubhouse.
Memory Care at Alice’s Clubhouse
Executive director Bonnie Cresser said the keys to working with populations with memory loss are patience, consistency, and communication.
Upon starting at Alice’s Clubhouse, Cresser’s team conducts an assessment of a member’s life to learn what they enjoyed doing prior to their diagnosis.
“If they liked antique cars, I make sure there’s books and puzzles relating to that subject to bring on those positive memories for them,” she said.
Prior to starting, prospective members and their families receive a tour of the facility and a meeting with Cresser. They also do a trial day, which allows them to experience various programs including joining the daily catered lunch. At the same time, the Alice’s Clubhouse team makes sure they are appropriate for the program. A confidential evaluation and intake process completes the enrollment process. The staff then collaborates with the new member’s physician to outline a comprehensive plan of ongoing care.
“No matter how early it is, you should join some sort of community that keeps your mind stimulated in a social setting,” Cresser said.
Dementia Care and Social Connection
Every member, and the approach to their care, is different. A member who previously worked as a teacher may believe they’re going to teach a class when they enter Alice’s Clubhouse. What remains consistent is the level of devotion the staff shows to each member to encourage that socialization.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association in 2025, approximately 113,000 people aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s in South Carolina. Counting all Americans living with the disease, that number rises significantly to 7 million.
The cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is estimated to total $384 billion in 2025.
All Alice’s Clubhouse staff are specifically trained to work with those with dementia. Some of the regular activities include music therapy, dance therapy, pet therapy and countless social events like holiday parties. Physical, occupational and speech therapy are also available. In addition to the staff of four, several volunteers are normally on-hand as well.
Support for Members and Caregivers
“Getting help as soon as someone is diagnosed with dementia is very important and their family should understand it’s OK to ask for help. There is no judgement from us. Everyone can be themselves at Alice’s Clubhouse, and we exist as much for our members as we do for their caregivers,” Cresser said.
“We are the only medical model in the Lowcountry,” she added. “This means we are licensed by the Department of Health to administer medications for our members. A lot of people must receive their medicine every few hours and our staff is certified to do just that.”
The average age of the Clubhouse’s “members” is roughly 72 years of age.
Alice’s Clubhouse provides its services for a full eight hours Monday through Friday. For a full list of services and contact information, visit alicesclubhouse.com.
